Textile yarn production control apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The rates of production of textile yarn by textile yarn forming machines are optimized in accordance with a method and through the use of an apparatus wherein ends of yarn normally being formed by one or more of such machines are monitored by a traveling unit transversing the machines, data concerning the ends down condition of a traversed machine is collected and compared with a desired standard condition, and variation in the production of textile yarn is effected as required by the relation of the ends down condition and standard condition.

United States Patent [151 3,680,299

Lee, Jr. Aug. 1, 1972 [54] TEXTILE YARN PRODUCTION 3,486,319 12/1969 Lee, Jr. et al. ..57/34 R CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD 3,498,039 3/1970 Kent et al ..57/34 R 3,523,413 8/1970 Ford et al ..57/34 R [72] Invent Charles Chaflwe 3,623,310 11/1971 Mulligan ..57/34 R [73] Assignee: Parks-Cramer Company, Fitchburg,

Mass. Primary Examiner-John Petrakes Filed g 10 1970 Attorney-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson 21 Appl. NO; 62,370 [57 ABSTRACT The rates of production of textile yarn by textile yarn 52 us. c1. ..57/34 R, 57/81, 235/92 R forming machines arc Optimized in accordance i h a 51] 1m. (:1. ..D0lh 15 00 method and through the use of an apparatus whcrcin [58] Field of Search ..57/1 R, 81, 34 R, 156; ends of yarn normally being formed y one or more of 235/92 R such machines are monitored by a traveling unit transversing the machines, data concerning the ends down condition of a traversed machine is collected and f 't d [56] Re erences CI e compared with a desired standard condition, and UNITED STATES PATENTS variation in the production of textile yarn is effected db th lt' fth dd dt' 3,373,551 3/1968 GillOl'lO eta] ..57/34R gigzlgg f g if S 3,403,866 10/1968 Bell et a1. ..57/53 X 3,445,997 5/1969 Escursell-Prat ..l'....5 7/34 R 20 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 5e lo 227 2b? 287 E C V E? WORD FRAME Worzo RANSM ITTEQ' CONVERTER DE-N'l'lFtCATlON GENERATOR,

203 2'5 COMPARATOQJ STANDARD SHEET 2 BF 2 0.5 w ado;

Jodkzo I I I I INVENTOR; CHARLES D. LEEJR.

ATTORNEYS TEXTILE YARN PRODUCTION CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD This invention is related to inventions owned in common herewith and disclosed in patents and applications entitled Apparatus and Method For Detecting and Reporting Ends Down on Textile Machines, now US. Pat. No. 3,523,413, issued Aug. 11, 1970; Apparatus and Method for Detecting, Piecing-Up and Reporting Ends Down on Spinning Machines, now US. Pat. No. 3,486,319, issued Dec. 30, 1969; Electric Circuit Means for Textile Strand Ends Down Detecting Apparatus, filed Oct. 14, 1969 under Ser. No. 866,265, now abandoned; and Textile Machine Data Communicating Apparatus and Method, filed Aug. 10, 1970 under Ser. No. 62,363.

The aforementioned related inventions are concerned with improving the efficiency of operation in certain textile strand producing operations by the provision of apparatus for detecting the ends down condition of textile yarn or thread forming apparatus such as spinning and twisting machines. As therein disclosed, apparatus is provided within a textile room, such as a spinning room, for moving detector means along the textile apparatus in a predetermined manner, for registering the response of the detector means, and for communicating and processing data concerning ends down on the textile yarn forming machines.

The accumulation and processing of data concerning the operation of the traveling detector unit and the textile yarn forming machines traversed thereby has now been recognized as presenting an opportunity for economically optimizing the operation of textile mills. More particularly in accordance with the present invention, data such as is accumulated and processed in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned related inventions is used as a basis for effecting variation in the production of textile yarn by the textile yarn forming apparatus which is traversed by the moving detector means. As a result, and as disclosed more fully hereinafter, a level of production which yields the greatest economic benefit may be determined and the rate of production of textile yarn may be brought to that level.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to optimize the rate of production of textile yarn by textile yarn forming machines, In accomplishing this object of the present invention, data concerning determined ends down conditions of traversed textile yarn forming machines is compared with a predetermined standard condition and variations in the production of textile yarn are effected in accordance with signals related to such comparison.

A further object of the present invention is the establishment of communication from a central data processing facility back to the mill room apparatus from which ends down data originated, so that signals indicative of a comparison of determined and standard conditions may be directed to those machines which are to perform an indicated function in effecting variations in the production of textile yarn. In accomplishing this object of the present invention, signals identified to particular machines are encoded and transmitted following the comparison of determined ends down conditions with predetermined standard conditions. Such transmitted signals are received, processed to decipher the identification thereof with the particular machine and the comparative relation of determined and standard conditions, and are then applied to effect variation in the production of textile yarn.

It is to be noted that variation in the production of textile yarn eflectedin response to the accumulation and processing of data, in accordance with this invention, is distinct and different from prior art arrangements in which efiorts toward optimization of yarn production have been made by controlling the speed of a spinning machine in response to yarn package formation, and particularly to the builder motion, or by other systems not making use of a central data processing facility to serve a number of machines. Builder motion responsive speed controls have heretofore been adopted in Europe, while United States practice has employed a constant speed drive. As understood, spinning machine speed variation by builder motion controls is intended to avoid excessive yarn breakage during certain intervals of time during the formation of yarn packages, but fails to take into consideration the end down operating condition of the frame being controlled.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. I is a diagrammatic view, partially schematic, of apparatus in accordance with the present-invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of a word generator as used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a textile yarn forming machine included in the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, and having a schematic diagram of additional elements of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an illustration, partly schematic and partly in perspective, of elements of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus used in practicing the present invention and a method of operation in which the rates of production of textile yarn are optimized will be described hereinafter with particular reference to a system employing structures as disclosed in the aforementioned related applications, to which reference is made for more detail and specific disclosure of traveling units traversing one or more textile yarn forming machines for monitoring ends of yarn normally being formed thereby and means communicating with such a traveling unit for determining the ends down condition of a traversed machine from the condition of monitored ends. To the extent that the disclosure of the aforementioned patents and applications must be incorporated herein for full and clear understanding of the present invention, such incorporation is intended by this reference In accordance with the present invention, data concerning ends down conditions of monitored textile yarn forming machines is presented to a receiver 20 in the form of binary word signals encoded by means moving with the traveling unit which monitors ends of yarn (such as the traveling pneumatic cleaner 10 of FIG. 3 having detector means moving therewith). Binary word signals appearing at the receiver 20 are passed to a word convertor 21 in order to be deciphered for processing of data.

From the word convertor 21, data is forwarded to a frame identification means 22 and a comparator 24 (FIG. 1). The frame identification means 22 establishes, from the signals appearing at the word convertor 21, the particular one of the textile yarn forming machines to which data then being processed is identified. The comparator 24 functions as a means for comparing a determined ends down condition of the traversed machine, as signaled by a traveling unit monitoring ends of yarn thereon and as transmitted and processed through the other elements of the apparatus, with a predetermined standard condition.

Preferably, the predetermined standard condition is established by a standard signaling means 25 which also directs a signal to the comparator 24. Desirably, the standard signaling means 25 is programmed in accordance with a desired characteristic of operation for a traversed machine, such as a predetermined profile of conditions acceptable during incremental periods of time or the characteristics of the yarn being produced on the traversed machine. As certain bases of such programs are fully disclosed hereinafter, possibilities for other programs will become more clear to persons skilled in the operation of textile yarn forming machines.

In particular, it is known to persons operating textile I yarn forming machines that the operating conditions thereof will vary with a wide number of factors, including the particular build used on bobbins mounted on the spindles of the machine. As is known, the interval of time immediately following start up of a spinning frame, when the early wound layers of a bobbin build are being formed, is a hard spin period. The term hard spin refers to the fact that ends down per thousand spindle hours are substantially higher during this period than during the period when the main body of yarn is being wound about the bobbin, which is referred to as an easy spin period by way of contrast. Another hard spin period typically occurs immediately prior to the doffing of filled bobbins from the spinning frame, while the last few layers of yarn are being applied thereto.

Knowing of such hard spin and easy spin periods, the standard signaling means 25 may be programmed in relation to the builder motion of a textile machine or to running time from the end of a doff period, to take into consideration the relative number of ends down which may occur on a traversed machine during such periods, Thus, if operation of a spinning frame is considered economically feasible with only relatively few ends down during a hard spin period and with a higher number of ends down during an easy spin period, the standard signaling means 25 is programmed in accordance with such a predetermined profile of conditions. The present invention contemplates that such a profile may vary in other ways, being directed to maintaining ends down at Ya generally uniform rate through both hardf and easy spin periods or in any desired ratios.

Another of the factors which influences the economics of operation of a spinning frame and the acceptability of ends down condition thereon is the characteristics of the yarn being produced. Typically, certain fibers will spin more easily than other fibers or blends of fibers and certain diameters or counts of yarn may spin more easily than others. In the instance where diameter of yarn at a relatively high number of ends down per thousand spindle hours. In contrast, yarn production may be economically optimized on a second spinning frame supplied with a fiber blend and producing a yarn of relatively small diameter at a much lower number of ends down per thousand spindle hours. Thus, a distinction would be drawn as to the standard against which determined ends down conditions should be compared, depending upon the identification of the spinning frame.

While the above discussion makes particular mention of ends down per thousand spindle hours, this is chosen as .a reference primarily due to the wide use of that designation in industry studies, and is not intended to be limiting as to the basis on which data is processed and comparisons are drawn. While comparisons on the basis of ends down per thousand spindle hours may be accomplished by data processing including accumulation of data over extended periods in accordance with that goal, data may also be processedon the basis of ends discovered down during a traverse of an individual textile machine, without regard to any accumulation of ends down determinations against a time base. Further analysis of data available in the system of the present invention will permit a central processing unit to distinguish ends down conditions which occur due to mechanical failures of a spinning frame. By way of example, breakage of a drive tape would be indicated by the presence of four or more ends down, distributed evenly on both sides of a spinning frame in a pattern corresponding to the spindles otherwise driven by the tape. The presence of a lap-up about a roll in the drafting system would be indicated by a pair of adjacent ends being down in a pattern corresponding to a common roll weighting system. Upon the event of such mechanical failure conditions, a speed signal to slow down the frame would be deferred and operation at normal or accelerated speeds would continue.

In accordance with the present invention, signals from the frame identification means 22 and the comparator 24 are delivered to a word generator 26 (diagrammed in FIG. 2) for encoding of a signal identified t0v a particular machine and correlated with the comparison of determined and standard conditions. In such flops are serially shifted therefrom through a plurality of and gates 43, 44, 45, 46 in response to shift signals from an oscillator 48 and a counter 49. By means of the oscillator 48 and counter 49, the data bit signals present in parallel in the I-K flipflops 35, 26, 37, 38 are arranged in series with a plurality of clock pulse signals passing through a clock signal train including an arrangement of three or gates 51, 52, 53. Clock and data bit signals thus arranged in series by operation of the oscillator 48 and counter 49 are applied to the key up and key down inputs of a frequency modulated transmitter 28 coupled to trolley bar conductors (one of which is shown in FIG. 3 as conductor 55) which extend adjacent the traversed textile machine and along a trackway 56 which supports the traveling unit for traversal of the textile yarn forming machines.

In accordance with the present invention, the means for effecting variation in the production of textile'yarn by traversed machine in accordance with a transmitted, encoded signal desirably comprises means for cooperating with a main drive electrical motor 58 for the traversed machine. Typically, such main drive electrical motors are alternating current motors, and the rate of production of textile yarn by a spinning frame may be varied by modulating at least one characteristic of electrical current delivered thereto, so that the rotational speed of the motor is thereby varied. In accordance with the present invention (FIGS. 3 and 4), transmitted signals appearing on the trolley bar conductors passing over the traversed machine are applied to a receiver 59, encoded words passing through the receiver are converted by a word convertor 60 and signals indicating the comparative relation of the determined and standard conditions are applied for varying the rotational speed of the main drive alternating current electrical motor 58.

More particularly, that data bit signal included in an encoded word which is correlated to the comparative relation of the determined and standard conditions may be either an upshift signal or a downshift signal.

Through means of the word convertor 60, the up and down shift signals are separated and separately applied to actuating solenoid devices 61, 62. Each of the actuating solenoid devices is operatively connected to a corresponding pawl 64, 65 which engages a corresponding ratchet wheel 66, 67. Each of the pawls 64, 65 is provided with a cross lifting bar 68, 69 which extends under the other of the pawls. Thus, upon energization of an upshift solenoid (such as thesolenoid 61), the corresponding pawl 64 is drawn toward the solenoid 61 (to the left in FIG. 4) so that the lifting bar 68 raises the other pawl 65 and the engagement of the pawl 64 with the ratchet wheel 66 rotates a coupled shaft 70.

The shaft 70 is operatively connected with a movable contact 71 of a variable resistor generally indicated at 72. The variable resistor 72 is included in an alternating current power modulating circuit, here represented as including a Triac 74, Diac 75 and timing capacitor 76. By the particular correlation of the relative values of the variable resistor 72 and the timing capacitor 76, varying average power envelopes of alternating current are passed through the Triac 74 and the rotational speed developed by a motor connected thereto is varied. The form illustrated is a simplified speed varying control and the present invention contemplates that more sophisticated and highly developed variable speed controls may be applied in practicing the present invention, which controls may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of standard manuals available to designers working in the field of variable speed drives. One such standard manual is the SCR Manual Fourth Edition published by the General Electric Company under a copyright date of 1967.

It is further contemplated by the present invention that signals indicating the comparative relation of determined and standard conditions may be reported to and accumulated in an appropriate memory or other data storage means. By an analysis of the signals emitted from the comparator 24 over extended intervals of time, management of a textile mill will be provided with significant information concerning the operating characteristics of the mill, and will be given a better opportunity to apply management controls to the operation of the system of the present invention.

As a more immediate means of indicating to supervisors directly in charge of the operation of textile yarn forming machines which are monitored in accordance with the disclosure herein, it is preferred that the speed control means incorporate some means for indicating the relative speed at which the main drive motor 58 is being operated. In the embodiment illustrated, such means is provided in the form of an incandescent lamp 78 electrically connected in parallel with the drive motor 58 and in series with the Triac 74. As the average power delivered through the Triac is varied and the rotational speed of the motor 58 thus changes, the relative brilliance of the incandescent lamp 78 also fluctuates. A supervisor wishing a quick approximation as to the relative operating speeds of a plurality of spinning frames so equipped need only compare the relative brilliance of the lamps thus associated with each of the plurality of frames.

With reference to the disclosure hereinabove of transmission and reception of word signals over trolley conductors, this is to be noted as the preferred embodiment for the present invention. However, the present invention contemplates that such transmission and reception may be effected through a variety of other techniques. By way of example, transmission and reception may be by emission of radio frequency, by coupling of signals to a conductor used solely as a signal conductor, or by modulation of lamps or the like positioned in spaced relation to other elements of the system. In these three examples, reception would be by a tuned radio receiver, by coupling to the signal conductors or by photosensors. Such transmission and reception may also be directly to the yarn forming machine, as hereinabove disclosed, or may be indirectly through a receiver mounted on and moving with one of the traveling units.

Variable speed drive through means of a thyristor control is preferred in accordance with the present invention, but it is contemplated that such control may also be accomplished through controlled slippage clutches or mechanically variable transmission devices interposed between a constant speed motor and the operating elements of a yarn forming machine.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:

1. In a system handling data as to ends down conditions of textile yarn forming machines and having a traveling unit traversing one or more of the machines for monitoring ends of yarn normally being formed thereby and means communicating with the traveling unit for determining the ends down condition of a traversed machine from the condition of monitored ends, the combination therewith of means for optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn by said textile yarn forming machines and comprising:

means operatively communicating with said ends down condition determining means for comparing a determined ends down condition of said traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition, for encoding a signal identified to said traversed machine and correlated with the-comparison of said determined and standard conditions, and for transmitting an encoded signal, and means operatively communicating with said comparing, encoding and transmitting means for receiving transmitted signals, for decoding a received signal to identify the signal with said traversed machine and the comparative relation of said determined and standard conditions, and for controlling the rate of production of textile yarn by said traversed machine in accordance with a decoded signal.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means for generating and emitting a binary word signal identified to said traversed machine.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said means for generating and emitting a binary word signal comprises means for generating aplurality of data bit signals and means for serially arranging said plurality of data bit signals into a single, multiple bit, word.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means for generating and emitting frequency modulated electrical energy at a frequency identified to said traversed machine,

5. In a system handling data as to ends down conditions of textile yarn forming machines and having a traveling unit traversing one or more of the machines for monitoring ends of yarn normally being formed thereby and means for determining the ends down condition of a traversed machine from the condition of monitored ends, the combination therewith of means for optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn by said textile yarn forming machines and comprising:

means operatively communicating with said ends down condition determining means for comparing a determined ends down condition of said traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition correleated to optimum yarn production thereby, for encoding a speed control signal identified to said traversed machine and correlated with the comparison of said determined and standard conditions, and for transmitting an encoded signal, and

means operatively connected with said traversed machine and communicating with said comparing, encoding and transmitting means for receiving transmitted signals, for decoding a received signal to identify the signal with said traversed machine and the comparative relation of said determined and standard conditions, and for varying the rate at which textile yarn is produced by said traversed machine in accordance with a decoded signal.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means programmed in, accordance with a predetermined profile of conditions acceptable during incremental periods of time from start-up of a traversed machine to doffing of filled bobbins therefrom.

7. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means programmed in accordance with the characteristics of the yarn being produced on said traversed machine.

8. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said system further has a trolley conductor extending adjacent one or more of said machines for movement of a traveling unit therealong and wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means comprises means for generating a radio frequency carrier, means for frequency modulating the radio frequency carrier and means coupling a resultant frequency modulated signal onto said trolley conductor.

9. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said yarn forming machines each comprise a main drive alternating current electrical motor and wherein said receiving, deciphering and rate varying means comprises means for modulating at least one characteristic of electrical current delivered to said motor and thereby for varying the rotational speed thereof.

10. The combination according to claim 9 further comprising means operatively connected to said current modulating means for indicating to a machine operator the relative magnitude of the rotational speed of said main drive alternating current electrical motor.

11. In a system handling data as to ends down conditions of textile yarn forming machines and having means for monitoring ends of yarn normally being formed by one or more of the machines and means for determining the ends down condition of a traversed machine from the condition of monitored ends, the combination therewith of means for optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn by said textile yarn forming machines and comprising:

means operatively communicating with said ends down condition determining means for comparing a determined ends down condition of said traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition correlated to optimum yarn production thereby, for encoding a speed control work signal identified to said traversed machine and correlated with the comparison of said determined and standard conditions, and for transmitting on encoded word signal, and

means operatively communicating with said comparing, encoding and transmitting means for receiving transmitted word signal, for decoding a received word signal to identify the signal with said traversed machine and the comparative relation of said determined and standard conditions, and for varying the rate at which textile yarn is produced by said traversed machine in accordance with a decoded word signal.

12. In a textile yarn forming operation, a method of optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn forming machines wherein ends of yarn normally formed on one or more of the machines are monitored and reports are made to a data processing system which determines the ends down conditions of traversed machines, the method comprising the steps of comparing a determined ends down condition of a traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition correlated to optimum yarn production by the traversed machine,

encoding and transmitting a control signal identified to the traversed machine and correlated with the comparison of the determined and standard conditions, receiving and decoding the transmitted control signal identified to the traversed machine, and

controlling the rate of production of textile yarn by the traversed machine in accordance with the comparative relation of the determined and standard conditions.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of comparing determined and standard conditions includes weighting the comparison in accordance with a predetermined profile of conditions acceptable during incremental periods of time from start-up of a traversed machine to doffing of filled bobbins therefrom.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of comparing determined and standard conditions includes weighting the comparison in accordance with the characteristics of the yarn being produced.

15. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of encoding and transmitting a control signal comprises generating and emitting frequency modulated electrical energy at a frequency identified to the traversed machine.

16. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of transmitting a control signal comprises coupling frequency modulated electrical energy to a trolley conductor along which a traveling detector unit moves in monitoring the traversed machine.

17. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of encoding and transmitting a speed control signal comprises generating and emitting a binary word signal identified to the traversed machine.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the step of generating a binary word signal comprises serially arranging a plurality of data bit signals into a single, multiple bit, word.

19. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of effecting the production of textile yarn comprises modulating at least one characteristic of alternating electrical current delivered to a main drive motor for the traversed machine to thereby govern the rotational speed thereof. I

20. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of accumulating control signal data over an extended period of time for analysis to aid in determining the relative efficiency of the textile yarn forming machines. 

1. In a system handling data as to ends down conditions of textile yarn forming machines and having a traveling unit traversing one or more of the machines for monitoring ends of yarn normally being formed thereby and means communicating with the traveling unit for determining the ends down condition of a traversed machine from the condition of monitored ends, the combination therewith of means for optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn by said textile yarn forming machines and comprising: means operatively communicating with said ends down condition determining means for comparing a determined ends down condition of said traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition, for encoding a signal identified to said traversed machine and correlated with the comparison of said determined and standard conditions, and for transmitting an encoded signal, and means operatively communicating with said comparing, encoding and transmitting means for receiving transmitted signals, for decoding a received signal to identify the signal with said traversed machine and the comparative relation of said determined and standard conditions, and for controlling the rate of production of textile yarn by said traversed machine in accordance with a decoded signal.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means for generating and emitting a binary word signal identified to said traversed machine.
 3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said means for generating and emitting a binary word signal comprises means for generating a plurality of data bit signals and means for serially arranging said plurality of data bit signals into a single, multiple bit, word.
 4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means for generating and emitting frequency modulated electrical energy at a frequency identified to said traversed machine.
 5. In a system handling data as to ends down conditions of textile yarn forming machines and having a traveling unit traversing one or more of the machines for monitoring ends of yarn normally being formed thereby and means for determining the ends down condition of a traversed machine from the condition of monitored ends, the combination tHerewith of means for optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn by said textile yarn forming machines and comprising: means operatively communicating with said ends down condition determining means for comparing a determined ends down condition of said traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition correleated to optimum yarn production thereby, for encoding a speed control signal identified to said traversed machine and correlated with the comparison of said determined and standard conditions, and for transmitting an encoded signal, and means operatively connected with said traversed machine and communicating with said comparing, encoding and transmitting means for receiving transmitted signals, for decoding a received signal to identify the signal with said traversed machine and the comparative relation of said determined and standard conditions, and for varying the rate at which textile yarn is produced by said traversed machine in accordance with a decoded signal.
 6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means programmed in accordance with a predetermined profile of conditions acceptable during incremental periods of time from start-up of a traversed machine to doffing of filled bobbins therefrom.
 7. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means includes means programmed in accordance with the characteristics of the yarn being produced on said traversed machine.
 8. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said system further has a trolley conductor extending adjacent one or more of said machines for movement of a traveling unit therealong and wherein said comparing, encoding and transmitting means comprises means for generating a radio frequency carrier, means for frequency modulating the radio frequency carrier and means coupling a resultant frequency modulated signal onto said trolley conductor.
 9. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said yarn forming machines each comprise a main drive alternating current electrical motor and wherein said receiving, deciphering and rate varying means comprises means for modulating at least one characteristic of electrical current delivered to said motor and thereby for varying the rotational speed thereof.
 10. The combination according to claim 9 further comprising means operatively connected to said current modulating means for indicating to a machine operator the relative magnitude of the rotational speed of said main drive alternating current electrical motor.
 11. In a system handling data as to ends down conditions of textile yarn forming machines and having means for monitoring ends of yarn normally being formed by one or more of the machines and means for determining the ends down condition of a traversed machine from the condition of monitored ends, the combination therewith of means for optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn by said textile yarn forming machines and comprising: means operatively communicating with said ends down condition determining means for comparing a determined ends down condition of said traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition correlated to optimum yarn production thereby, for encoding a speed control work signal identified to said traversed machine and correlated with the comparison of said determined and standard conditions, and for transmitting on encoded word signal, and means operatively communicating with said comparing, encoding and transmitting means for receiving transmitted word signal, for decoding a received word signal to identify the signal with said traversed machine and the comparative relation of said determined and standard conditions, and for varying the rate at which textile yarn is produced by said traversed machine in accordance with a decoded word signal.
 12. In a textile yarn forming operation, a method of optimizing the rates of production of textile yarn forming machiNes wherein ends of yarn normally formed on one or more of the machines are monitored and reports are made to a data processing system which determines the ends down conditions of traversed machines, the method comprising the steps of comparing a determined ends down condition of a traversed machine with a predetermined standard condition correlated to optimum yarn production by the traversed machine, encoding and transmitting a control signal identified to the traversed machine and correlated with the comparison of the determined and standard conditions, receiving and decoding the transmitted control signal identified to the traversed machine, and controlling the rate of production of textile yarn by the traversed machine in accordance with the comparative relation of the determined and standard conditions.
 13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of comparing determined and standard conditions includes weighting the comparison in accordance with a predetermined profile of conditions acceptable during incremental periods of time from start-up of a traversed machine to doffing of filled bobbins therefrom.
 14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of comparing determined and standard conditions includes weighting the comparison in accordance with the characteristics of the yarn being produced.
 15. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of encoding and transmitting a control signal comprises generating and emitting frequency modulated electrical energy at a frequency identified to the traversed machine.
 16. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of transmitting a control signal comprises coupling frequency modulated electrical energy to a trolley conductor along which a traveling detector unit moves in monitoring the traversed machine.
 17. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of encoding and transmitting a speed control signal comprises generating and emitting a binary word signal identified to the traversed machine.
 18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the step of generating a binary word signal comprises serially arranging a plurality of data bit signals into a single, multiple bit, word.
 19. A method according to claim 12 wherein the step of effecting the production of textile yarn comprises modulating at least one characteristic of alternating electrical current delivered to a main drive motor for the traversed machine to thereby govern the rotational speed thereof.
 20. A method according to claim 12 further comprising the step of accumulating control signal data over an extended period of time for analysis to aid in determining the relative efficiency of the textile yarn forming machines. 